ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the dose-effect relationship of Xianfu ointment and its decomposed recipes the 1-chloro-2,4-dini-trochlorobenzene(DNCB) induced chronic eczema in mice, and confirm the median effective dose (ED50) of each formula and the synergetic effect by compatibility. Methods:DNCB was used to induce chronic eczema in C57 mice. The mice were treated with gradient dosages of the Xianfu ointment (11.71-11 662.50 mg?kg-1?d-1,k = 0.316), Anemone flaccid (0.53-530.12 mg?kg-1?d-1,k = 0.316), Xianfu ointment without Anemone flaccid (11.18-11 132.40 mg?kg-1?d-1,k =0.316),respectively. The pathological features were observed after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The volume ratio of epidermides and the number of lymphocyte infiltrated in dermis were analyzed with morphometry. The serum levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,IL-4,and IL-13 were detected by ELISA assay. The ED50was calculated by non-linear regression with various slope using Prism-5.0 software.Results:The effects of Xianfu ointment and its decomposed recipes on chronic eczema showed a dose-dependent tendency. The dose-response curves showed"S"shape. The efficacy of Xianfu ointment on chronic eczema was the most significant among the three formulas, which was demonstrated by decreased epidemical thicknes (ED50= 377.90 mg?kg-1?d-1), reduced infiltrated lymphocyte number(ED50= 153.20 mg?kg-1?d-1), increased serum IL-2(ED50=608.90 mg?kg-1?d-1) and IFN-γ (ED50= 205.50 mg?kg-1?d-1) levels, and decreased serum IL-4(ED50= 198.70 mg?kg-1?d-1) and IL-13 levels (ED50= 117.60 mg?kg-1?d-1). And the dose-effect curves of Anemone flaccid and Xianfu ointment without Anemone flaccid groups were both right shift when compared with that of Xianfu ointment. Conclusion:Xianfu ointment and its decomposed recipes can effectively treat chronic eczema. Anemone flaccid has obvious compatibility synergy in the whole formula. The effects of Xianfu ointment is most significant.